Bowden hoping to emerge from muddled picture

Monday

Feb 23, 2009 at 7:28 AM

By Maureen Mullen SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

For many young players, their big league call-ups can be surrounded by a bit of a whirlwind. It was no different for Red Sox pitcher Michael Bowden, who got the news of his Aug. 30 major league debut the night before.

“It was crazy,” the right-hander said.

A 6:30 p.m. phone call. Picking up his equipment at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. Dropping off his laundry. Going back to pack up his apartment because the lease ended the next day. Going back to McCoy to pick up his laundry. Driving to Boston, getting stuck in postgame ballpark traffic near Fenway Park. Finally getting something to eat at 11:30. Getting to sleep only to wake at 6 a.m. Getting to Fenway at 4:30 p.m. Pitching, winning, and departing Fenway and the big leagues by 10:30.

Bowden earned his first big league win — 10 days before his 22nd birthday — going five innings against the White Sox, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out three.

“And so far that’s my major league career,” he said.

The quiet, respectful Bowden is in his second big league spring training camp. He is among the competitors for the fifth spot in the rotation, along with right-handers Brad Penny and Clay Buchholz, but knows he’s a long shot.

“I know that’s a motivation,” he said. “But I also understand and know that we have seven, eight very good starters in this organization and right now I’m sure I’m not penciled in for that spot, but that can change. Most likely I’ll be in Pawtucket, but there’s always a chance. So I’m keeping my head up.”

Bowden, whose repertoire includes a low- to mid-90s four-seam fastball, changeup, and curveball, was Boston’s fifth pick (47th overall) in the 2005 draft (in the sandwich round between the first and second rounds, for the loss of free agent pitcher Derek Lowe) out of Waubonsie Valley High in Naperville, Ill.

Pitching coach John Farrell was happy with the maturity and poise Bowden showed in his brief call-up and is looking for a continuation of that this spring.

“The thing that’s really starting to play out on the field is his pitch execution,” Farrell said. “Particularly his curveball has always been a focal point for not only his personal development, but how that will allow him to more successfully transition to the big leagues once that opportunity comes in earnest. He’s showing that more in camp here. I think the intriguing thing for us will be to see more consistent outings in spring training here. Last year was a very limited look but there’s the opportunity for more innings this year and more opportunity to demonstrate (those) things.”

This offseason, working out on his own and at Athletes’ Performance Institute, Bowden added 10 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame, weighing in at 230.

“He’s stronger, noticeably, 10 pounds, a good 10 pounds stronger,” Sox manager Terry Francona said. “It seems he has a little bit more comfort to him being in this camp because of last year. He got called up, made the start, there’s some familiarity there. But he’s a pretty quiet kid, very respectful but a hard worker. A fun kid to watch his progression.”

That progression included 19 starts with Double-A Portland in 2008, when Bowden posted a record of 9-4, with a 2.33 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, earning a promotion to Pawtucket, where he was 0-3, (3.38, 1.13) in six starts.

“I thought satisfactory,” Farrell said of Bowden’s transition to Triple A. “I wouldn’t say it was a move that he felt like he dominated the level. But with every level that a pitcher progresses through, you hope there would be some challenges that present themselves, which I think they did for Michael at that time. When you take a look at a person’s transition then you have to somehow take it back to what the strengths and abilities are to get him to pitch here. That’s why so much attention’s being put on that breaking ball.”

Bowden is looking forward to his first spring training start, Friday against the reigning American League champion Rays.

“Oh, definitely,” he said. “I think that’s going to tell me where I’m at right now. So, I feel good, I feel healthy, I’m throwing the ball well. So I’m really excited to get a chance to throw against them.”

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